A local pub known for its award-winning pies is asking the public to join the 'great pie debate' and answer - what makes a pie a pie?

Paul Studholme, landlord at The Brewer's Arms in Wanborough, says the question seems deceptively simple but has become the very reason his pub now offers 16 different types of pie.

"It all started because back in the day customers would always come in and ask are your pies 'proper pies' and I've always said well what is a 'proper pie'?

"Some of them say it has to have pastry all the way around and not just a stone dish with a lid and then we find other people prefer it with less pastry.

"Then you get into the more complicated questions like is a shepherd's pie a pie because it doesn't have pastry at all, it's topped with mashed potato.

"It's quite a controversial question really and I think because lots of pubs just offer one pie of the day it can be hard to please everyone."

Staff at the Brewer's Arms are all divided on what makes the best pieStaff at the Brewer's Arms are all divided on what makes the best pie (Image: Dave Cox) That's certainly not the case at The Brewer's Arms though, which has now built up a reputation for itself as the 'pie and pizza' specialist in town with 16 different pies on its latest autumn menu.

Chefs Joseph, Daniel and Paul say the menu offers well-known meaty classics, vegetarian and vegan pies and 'pies with a twist'.

"Our classic pies come from an award-winning pie company that makes them fresh for us and those are really popular," explained Paul.

"We get a limited supply each day so when they're gone, they're gone.

"But then we also make additional 'pies with a twist' fresh in-house, and you know they're our own because the pastry is always sealed with a twist, hence the name."

A look at one of the pies on offer at The Brewer's ArmsA look at one of the pies on offer at The Brewer's Arms (Image: Dave Cox)

"We get people come in and try to work their way through the whole pie menu," he added.

"Some of our younger staff leaving for university this summer even asked to take a pie or two with them as a little slice of home."

With pubs across the country now struggling to keep customers in and prices down over the colder months, The Brewer's Arms is hoping its new autumnal pie menu will bring in more Swindon pie lovers than ever before.

"Come and try the menu, pick your favourite, and let us know what you think makes a pie a pie," said Paul.